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Defensible Space
Your first defense against wildfire is to create and maintain a defensible space
around your home. However this does not mean your landscape has to be barren.
A defensible space is an area, either man-made or natural, where the vegetation
is modified to slow the rate and intensity of an advancing wildfire. It also creates
an area for fire suppression operations to occur and helps protect the forest
from being involved should a structure fire occur.
A disaster waiting to happen |
This home is more easily defendable |
Defensible Space Guidelines
Wildfire hazards can be effectively reduced by following these defensible space
guidelines:
- The dimensions of a defensible space are subjective and depend on site
characteristics, but typically a defensible space, on flat ground, extends
a minimum of 75 feet around a home. This distance should be extended if the
structure is located on a slope.
- Thin out continuous tree and brush cover around structures. The initial
15 feet around a structure should consist of an area in which all flammable
vegetation is removed (in chapparal areas extend to 30 feet).
- Beyond the initial 15 feet, the trees should be thinned to 10 - 12 foot
crown spacing. Occasionally, clumps of 2 or 3 trees are permitted for natural
effects if more space surrounds them
- Dispose of all slash and debris left from thinning by either chipping, hauling
away or by piling and burning (check with your local fire department for burning
restrictions).
- Mow dry grass and weeds to a height of 6 inches or less for a distance of
30 feet from all structures.
- Prune branches from trees within the defensible space to a height of 10
feet above the ground fuels. Also remove shrubs and small trees, or other
potential "ladder" fuels from beneath large trees; left in place, these can
carry a ground fire into the tree crowns.
- Trim branches which extend over roof eaves and remove branches within 15
feet of a chimney.
- Clean roof and gutters of pine needles and leaves to eliminate an ignition
source for firebrands, especially during the hot, dry weather of the fire
season.
- Maintain the defensible space annually, by removing excess debris, shrubs
and other vegetative growth accumulated during the year.
- Stack firewood and woodpiles at least 30 feet from any structure and clear
away flammable vegetation within 10 feet of these woodpiles. Many homes have
survived as a fire passed, only to burn later from a wood pile that ignited
after the firefighters left.
This home might not survive a wildfire
- Place liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and propane tanks and fuel storage containers
at least 30 feet from all structures. Clear flammable vegetation from within
10 feet of all such tanks.
 Remember,
after you have established your FireWise environment, you must maintain
it regularly. If you have any questions about creating or maintaining defensible
space around your home, contact your local fire department, State Lands Fire Management,
or county extension office.
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